City Hall

The 566,000 square foot art deco structure designed by Dietel, Wade & Jones defined the early skyline of Buffalo. City Hall was built starting in 1929 and completed in 1931. Reaching 378 feet into the sky, the 32 floor structure, built by John W. Cowper Company (who also built the Statler Towers and others in Buffalo) is truly a work of beauty meant to inspire. Located in the historic Niagara Square,, City Hall is itself a work of art and mastery on the outside and has an interior full of art with numerous murals, paintings, stained glass, beautiful interior wood work, acoustically treated Council Chamber, and carved artwork decorating the exterior of the building. City Hall is recognized for its unique balance between  modernism and symbolism normally associated with classical architecture. The exterior and interior are adorned  with symbolic figures and decorations portraying an industrial theme. Historically it was custom to  build a building after a military victory memorializing the victories of war, but the architect and builders of Buffalo City Hall endeavored to portray the constructive side of life.  Their focus was to accomplish  in modern materials what the ancient Greeks  made with wood and stone. Free daily  tours  are available of City from 12-1.